The new chairman of the governing council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state, Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi has declared that the council “will not sacrifice fairness, equity, justice, merit, competence, and above all, the Rule of Law, on the altar of some primordial considerations or sentiments.”

He made this known during the council’s the meeting of the council in Awka following it’s appointment by President Bola Tinubu.

“This is the way to go because these were the principles that the “Great Zik of Africa”, the man after whom this great university is named, was known for,” the chairman noted .

The speech in full: 

SPEECH  BY THE PRO-CHANCELLOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA, BARRISTER  OLUGBENGA KUKOYI DURING HIS MAIDEN MEETING WITH THE SENATE OF THE UNIVERSITY IN AWKA ON THE 26TH OF FEBRUARY, 2025

Protocols

It is with a great sense of honour and privilege that I address the Senate of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the 11th Governing Council of this great university. No doubt, this is an assemblage of distinguished academics and erudite scholars.

2. Whilst it is true that the Council is made up of seasoned professionals and technocrats drawn from different fields of human endeavour, we would not pretend to know your terrain more or better than you do. Some of you went to school here, live and work here. Others came with rich and varied experience from other places and have been around for awhile. Thus, you have firsthand experience and insider information that we may not have. 
3. The Governing Council under my leadership will continue to work with the representatives of the Senate and other stakeholders with a view to getting the input of every critical segment of the university community in all we do.
4. We shall continually engage with the different stakeholders in the spirit of collective bargaining and in the overall interest of members of staff and students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University as well as the host communities.
5. But in doing this, we will not sacrifice fairness, equity, justice, merit, competence, and above all, the Rule of Law, on the altar of some primordial considerations or sentiments. This is the way to go because these were the principles that the “Great Zik of Africa”, the man after whom this great university is named, was known for. And these are the principles that the Visitor to this great university, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, holds dear. 
6. It is worthy to note that this great university was founded to inculcate and disseminate knowledge without let or hindrance to all Nigerians based on the principles of “discipline, self-reliance and excellence”. 
7. However, in recent times, the university has been in the news for not so ennobling reasons. Working with the entire university community, the Governing Council will endeavour to make a clean break with the past, instil discipline and change the narrative.
8. Knowing the strategic importance of collaboration and partnership, we shall seek to foster a strong partnership between the university and private sector as well as relevant public institutions towards addressing the infrastructural challenges in the University while promoting a culture of maintenance and continuous improvement of the existing facilities. Towards this end, all existing and pending partnerships will be reviewed and/or pursued to ensure their realisation while we seek new ones.
9. In our efforts to promote excellence, we must work together to advance the University’s research output, non-academic reputation and impact of notable alumni in order to improve our rankings in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large. We can do this by rejigging our courses and programmes, and tailoring them to the needs of the labour market and the realities of our world where there have tremendous progress in various fields, from technology and medicine, to space exploration, among others. 
10. We shall do our very best within available resources to ensure that members of staff and indeed the entire university community, from Awka to Nnewi, Ifite-Ogwari to Agulu and Oko-Afia know the period of this Governing Council for good – in the overall best interest of the university and our nation.
11. As a first step towards promoting a strong feedback mechanism, the Governing Council shall have a suggestion box in all the campuses  and premises where members of the university community can easily offer suggestions and air their views on any issue without fear of molestation or harassment from any quarters. The Acting Registrar and Secretary of the Council shall also make available the telephone numbers and email addresses of all Council members through the various channels of information dissemination in the university. We assure you of utmost confidentiality in the treatment of such feedback.
12. Distinguished members of the Senate, in the discharge of our responsibility for the good management, growth and development of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, we shall strive to do things differently and try as much as possible to carry along all the critical stakeholders in an atmosphere of mutual respect, trust and service. We shall run an open door policy; and be receptive to new ideas, suggestions and constructive criticisms.
13. In the light of the foregoing, we crave the support and solidarity of all as we go along as partners in the journey for a better Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Let us at once decide to come together and change the narrative. Let us bid farewell to the days when the university was in the news for the wrong reasons. And let us embrace the present and future with Renewed Hope for academic excellence, research breakthroughs and other ennobling attainments worthy of a university of this stature and standing.
14. There is still enough space at the top where Nnamdi Azikiwe University rightly belongs. But, to get and remain there, we need the cooperation of each and everyone of you because it is the sum total of our individual and collective efforts in our various units, departments, directorates, faculties or unions that will make a complete whole.
15. Let us resolve to be the agents of the good and positive change or transformation that we desire. Let us brighten that corner where we are. We can do it. And we must do it. If not for our sake, then for the sake of those coming after us. Let it be said that when we were here, we did our very best for the advancement of knowledge, research and development of this great university that is rightly named after the “Great Zik of Africa” – the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka!

Thank you for granting me audience. God bless you all.